following the LEADER

We’re back from two nights in the wild.  That is at a hotel next to the wild animal preserve here in Niger.  We had a wonderful time and saw lots of amazing things.  At the top of our list was a group of about 10 elephants who crossed the dirt road in front of our car on Monday night.  It was one of those thrilling moments when you don’t know if you should scream or cry.  I said, “Wow, they really look like dinosaurs!”  and Krystal pointed out that, “They are!”  Pretty cool stuff.  The next day we got to watch 5 more elephants bathing and splashing as they crossed the river.  It was just really nice to get out of the city and get a little of that vacation feeling with Grammy and Papa around.  It helps to have a good time when you’re away from the stresses of home.

We’re always floored by the hospitality of the Nigerien people.  On Monday night we planned on cooking foil dinners over a fire only to be told my the hotel director that we were not allowed to have a fire on the property.  This is understandable considering how dry it is without any rain for months and months.  One of the hotel employees promptly invited Dave back to his hut to cook our dinner on his fire.  He was so kind about it.  The next day we had the pleasure of visiting the village Alambare.  This is a Gourmanche village where Daniel, Rodrigo, and Pastor Hassane have been working quite a bit.  A construction team from OK was there building them a church.  Although we were only there for less than 2 hours they through some Pintad (Guinea Fowl) on the fire and insisted we leave with two of them.  We felt almost guilty at the way these people, who have so little, shared with us their very best.

I’m going to post a few more pictures, but they’re mostly of people and not of animals.  I’ll post some animal pics when I get around to putting them on the computer.

In other news, praise the Lord for our niece who was born on Tuesday night in Massachusetts.  Annika Johansson.  We can’t wait to meet you!

The boys and I at breakfast inside the park enjoying the view.

Carla and a Gourmanche baby at Alambare.

Christian Gourmanche dancers worshipping.

I can’t tell you how thrilled we are to have Grammy and Papa (Dave’s parents) here visiting us.  Sam has covered them with hugs and kisses almost constantly since they arrived last Thursday night.  They are adjusting well to “Life in the African Lane” as Krystal puts it.

Speaking of Krystal… we are praising God that she’s feeling better after spending several days in bed sick.  Dave and Nathaniel are following suit, and are now feeling crummy.  Please pray for their speedy recovery.  They’re both undergoing a round of medicine.  Also pray that Sam and I don’t get the “bug.”  It’s no fun being sick with Grammy and Papa around.

Yesterday we took a trip to the Musee to see the exhibits, the animals, and the art.  Sam’s favorite thing was the hippo.  Papa’s was the exhibit on Uranium (even though it was all in French).  I enjoyed taking photos of everybody else. Here are some we took…

cleaning up after dinner in my new shirt. (thanks auntie ginger!)

Dave and Ken at a Plumpynut assessment/ food distribution on Friday.

Grammy and Sam checking out the hippo on Tuesday.

Dave and I are learning that as parents, you never stop saying, “Wow.  They’re getting big.”  They just keep growing.

Since our last post, a lot has transpired.  Big things.  Nata started walking.  Krystal got engaged.  We hosted a construction team.  And Grammy and Papa arrived here in Niger for a three week visit  (guaranteed to be our next post).

Because we have too many pictures to post them all, we thought we’d go with the “our kids are growing like weeds” theme and post some pictures of our new pet hippo.  His name is Chia and we love him.  He was a gift to our family, and we think he is one of the most fun presents EVER!